infantilize

American  

[in-fuhn-tl-ahyz, -tahy-lahyz, in-fan-tl-ahyz] / ˈɪn fən tlˌaɪz, -taɪˌlaɪz, ɪnˈfæn tlˌaɪz /

especially British, infantilise

verb (used with object)

infantilized, infantilizing

1. to keep in or reduce to an infantile state.

2. to treat or regard as infantile or immature.

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Other Word Forms

• infantilization noun

Etymology

Origin of infantilize

1940–45; infantile + -ize, or by back formation from infantilization

Example Sentences

Public policy shouldn’t infantilize people simply because minors might misuse a product.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some thought, especially in retrospect, that Ross immersed himself too deeply in micromanaging peace, that his approach tended to infantilize the region’s players and made them too dependent on outside powers.

From Slate

Burnett never insists that they’re the sane ones, nor does he infantilize Fish and Poinsettia’s afflictions.

From Los Angeles Times

While it’s easy to infantilize these furry, arboreal critters — a key reason why audiences’ hearts have been moved by them for decades — their cuteness should never eclipse their importance, as the Ewok tribe holds a pivotal role in the destruction of the Death Star.

From Salon

We are seeing adult women who aggressively reject society's efforts to infantilize them.

From Salon